Inline shear for texture, dispersion, and controlled mixing.
The Waukesha Cherry-Burrell SP4 Shear Pump is built for continuous inline or controlled batch processing where the product needs a defined shear step. With interchangeable stator and rotor combinations, it can help texturize, emulsify, blend, reconstitute, suspend, disperse, or polish product. In most controlled applications, the SP4 should be fed by a separate supply pump that manages flow and pressure.
An inline shear step with controlled feed.
The SP4 is best thought of as inline dispersion and shear equipment. In many systems, a positive displacement or supply pump feeds the SP4 and controls flow rate and discharge pressure while the SP4 provides the controlled shear, mixing, dispersion, or texture work.
Rotor/stator combinations tune the work
Interchangeable head components let the SP4 be configured for liquid/liquid emulsions, liquid/solids dispersions, particle reduction, chopping, smoothing, or texture development.
Predictable mechanical and hydraulic action
Instead of relying on open-tank mixing alone, the SP4 forces product through defined shear zones for a more repeatable pass through the process head.
Application review before the model number
Triplex helps confirm how the SP4 should be fed, whether recirculation near a tank makes sense, and whether it should be compared against a colloid mill, homogenizer, mixer, or other process equipment.
One platform for several high-shear jobs.
Different head combinations and speeds can change how aggressively the SP4 works the product. The right setup depends on product behavior, desired end result, viscosity, solids, feed conditions, and how much temperature rise the product can tolerate.
| Process goal | Typical use | What Triplex checks |
|---|---|---|
| Texturize / polish | Smoother body, surface finish, or uniform texture in products such as cheese, sauces, soups, food pastes, and similar viscous products. | Starting texture, final target, shear sensitivity, temperature, and whether recirculation is acceptable. |
| Emulsify | Stable oil/water emulsions such as dressings, lotions, soap stock, and other formulated products. | Phase ratio, stabilizer strategy, droplet/texture target, flow rate, and required number of passes. |
| Blend / reconstitute | Online blending and faster solution of powdered products such as milk powders without creating lumps of dry product. | Powder addition method, wet-out behavior, air handling, tank layout, and feed pump control. |
| Suspend / disperse | Uniform solids-in-liquid suspensions, dyes, pigments, titanium dioxide, and other dispersion work where particle size reduction may be part of the goal. | Solids loading, abrasion, particle target, seal flush needs, and wear expectations. |
| Poultry process support | Marinades, sauces, brines, seasoning slurries, gum/stabilizer systems, protein/water/oil blends, and solids dispersion that can affect injector or nozzle consistency. | Particulate size, plug risk, shear target, viscosity, salt/sugar systems, temperature, recirculation plan, and whether a demo should validate the result. |
Shear comes from the pass through the head.
Product is fed into the cover stator inlet, passes through the counterclockwise rotating inner rotor, moves through the stationary stator openings, then through the counterclockwise rotating outer rotor before exiting the body discharge. Shearing can occur at multiple points through that path.
Product viscosity changes the result
Higher-viscosity products are influenced more by the number and size of rotor/stator openings. Low-viscosity products pass through faster, which generally reduces residence time and shear exposure.
Speed changes the number of passes
Typical operating speed is listed at 3600 RPM, with rated speed to 5200 RPM. Higher speed generally increases the number of shearing passes through the product.
Flow rate changes residence time
Slower-moving product receives more shearing. Faster flow reduces exposure time, which can be useful when the product needs only light work.
SP4 construction and operating envelope.
These values come from the Waukesha Cherry-Burrell SP4 instruction manual. Final selection should be confirmed against the product, process duty, motor/drive package, seal plan, and feed arrangement.
What we need before recommending the setup.
The SP4 is selected around the process result, feed conditions, and head combination — not horsepower alone. The useful conversation starts with what is feeding the SP4, what is happening to the product now, and what the final product should look, feel, dissolve, suspend, or emulsify like after the shear step. Waukesha offers no-charge SP4 demonstrations, so Triplex can help validate the result on your product before you commit.
Send this application data
- Product name and ingredients or product family
- Current viscosity and temperature
- Desired process result: blend, emulsify, disperse, polish, texturize, reconstitute, or reduce particle size
- Flow rate, pressure limit, available feed pump, and recirculation plan
- Solids, abrasives, crystals, fats, waxes, or anything likely to affect seal flushing
- Cleaning method, sanitary requirements, and service access limits
Explore feed pump options
Most controlled SP4 applications start with the feed question: what pump will meter product into the shear unit at the right rate and pressure? Triplex can review Waukesha PD / rotary lobe pumps, twin screw pumps, or another sanitary pump platform depending on viscosity, solids, shear sensitivity, suction conditions, and cleaning requirements. For particle reduction, homogenization, or milling behavior beyond the SP4's role, we can also compare colloid mills, homogenizers, or other process equipment.
SP4 brochure and manual.
Use these documents for application review, installation, operating limits, rotor/stator combinations, seal flushing, troubleshooting, and maintenance planning.
Technical questions, answered directly.
How is the SP4 typically fed?
For most controlled shearing processes, the manual recommends using a separate positive displacement or supply pump to control flow and discharge pressure through the SP4. That lets the feed equipment manage the process rate while the SP4 performs the shear work.
How do rotor and stator choices affect performance?
The cover stator, inner rotor or blade, and outer rotor define the shear openings and product path. Different combinations can support liquid/liquid emulsions, liquid/solid dispersions, chopping, smoothing, particle reduction, or texture development.
What about temperature rise?
The manual notes that mechanical energy from the shear pump typically raises product temperature by about 2°-10°F. That should be considered when processing heat-sensitive products.
Want to test the SP4 on your product?
Tell Triplex what you are trying to blend, emulsify, disperse, reconstitute, polish, or texturize. Waukesha offers no-charge SP4 demos, and we can help sort the feed pump, head combination, operating limits, and whether another process option should be compared.
